Detroit, Michigan, it's a city known for grit and resilience. From the skyline that still reflects

its motor city legacy to the quiet east side neighborhoods lined with chain-linked fences. Detroit

is built on industry and survival. And in the winter months, that survival feels especially

literal when the wind comes off the river sharply and unforgivingly

with snow settling into the cracked sidewalks. The neighborhoods of Detroit have corner stores that

know your order, block clubs, and grandmothers watching from their living room windows. On the east

side, the neighborhoods are tight-knit. Families have, a lot of times,

live there for generations, and everyone knows each other. Detroit has fought hard against the narratives

that try to paint it as broken, and in truth, the city is full of resilient people. But like a lot of

large cities, it also has failures, underfunded systems,

and strained social services. So when a 13-year-old girl disappeared in the middle of an ordinary

school day, it hit differently. In neighborhoods like this, where everybody knows everyone,

a child going missing doesn't just affect one family. An entire community feels it.

This episode contains conversations of sexual assault, grooming, and other disturbing topics.

Listener discretion is strongly advised. This is the story of Nazia Harris. I'm Ashley.

And I'm Ricky.

And this is Crime Salad.

So, Nazia, she was adopted by her maternal grandmother when she was just two years old.

And her family says that this is because her biological mother struggled with drug use after, according to Niziah's great aunt, she struggled with

experiences of sexual abuse and childhood trauma. According to Niziah's family members,

after some difficulties surrounding custody during Niziah's early childhood, her biological father lost contact, but consistently paid child

support for Niziah throughout her life. And by all accounts, Nizaya was a sweet, quiet girl

...